The two images, one of a senior man proudly completing a marathon, and the other of older adults participating in a group exercise class, clearly show how sport helps aging people both accept and resist the aging process. In the first image, the man running a marathon resists aging by continuing to push his physical limits and maintain an active lifestyle. He defies the stereotype that aging means slowing down or stepping back from challenges. At the same time, his presence in the race, possibly with a slower pace or modified training, shows an acceptance of his aging body and its new boundaries.

The second image, featuring older adults doing group exercises, reflects a more collective and social form of acceptance and resistance. These individuals may accept that high-intensity workouts aren’t always realistic, but they still resist the idea that aging equals inactivity. By staying engaged in fitness, they preserve their independence, health, and social connections.

Together, these images support Dionigi’s idea that sport creates space for older adults to acknowledge the changes that come with age while still maintaining a sense of control, purpose, and vitality. Sport becomes both a way to adapt and a tool to push back against the limits often placed on aging bodies.

According to Pike, groups less likely to have extensive opportunities to take part in sports include older adults who face economic disadvantages, women, people with disabilities, and those from racialized or marginalized communities. These groups often encounter more barriers such as lack of access to facilities, transportation, appropriate programs, or supportive social environments.

Privilege plays a big role in aging and sport. People with higher income, education, and social support are more likely to have the time, resources, and encouragement to stay active as they age. They can afford gym memberships, equipment, or live in communities that offer safe and accessible spaces for physical activity. In contrast, those without these privileges may not have the same chances to participate or may feel excluded from certain types of sport that prioritize competition or youthfulness.

This uneven access leads to health disparities and reinforces social inequalities. Promoting inclusive and accessible sport programs is essential to ensure that aging individuals from all backgrounds can enjoy the physical, emotional, and social benefits of staying active. Addressing privilege means rethinking how sport is offered, marketed, and supported to include everyone not just those with the most resources.

Age discrimination is often reported more than other forms of prejudice because it’s deeply normalized in society. Unlike racism or sexism, which are increasingly recognized and challenged, ageism is still widely accepted in jokes, media, and everyday conversation. Older people are often seen as “less productive,” “out of touch,” or even a burden on healthcare and social systems. This negative framing makes them appear as a threat to economic growth, modern values, and fast-paced lifestyles.

The media also plays a big role in shaping this perception. Advertisements and entertainment frequently center youth and portray aging as something to fight or avoid, reinforcing the idea that getting older is undesirable. As a result, older adults are often excluded from decisions, employment, and public life, despite their knowledge and contributions.

Age discrimination thrives because it’s less recognized, and many people fear aging themselves. Instead of embracing aging as a natural part of life, society pushes the idea that being young is better. Challenging this means shifting how we talk about aging and making sure older people are seen as valuable, active members of society not as problems to solve.

The two ads show very different ideas about sport and age. The first ad (Nike – “You Can’t Stop Us”) is fast-paced and highly focused on elite athletes, showing intense physical performance, competition, and strength. It celebrates diversity in terms of race, gender, and ability, including Paralympic athletes, but age is not represented. Older adults are entirely absent, suggesting that sport is mainly for the young and highly athletic.

The second ad (This Girl Can – “Me Again”) is much more inclusive. It features women of different ages, body types, and fitness levels engaging in everyday forms of physical activity walking, dancing and stretching often at home or in relaxed settings. Age is represented positively, with older women shown confidently moving in their own way, without pressure to perform or compete. The ad promotes the idea that movement is for everyone, no matter their age or ability.

Overall, the second ad is more inclusive because it reflects real-life experiences and encourages participation across a wider range of ages and abilities. It challenges the idea that sport is only about performance, and instead highlights enjoyment, confidence, and personal connection to movement at any stage of life.

Yes, I agree with Elizabeth Pike’s observation that aging has been “feminized,” especially in how society represents and treats older adults. Statistically, women tend to live longer than men, so aging is often associated more with women’s experiences. This shapes the way aging is discussed in media, healthcare, and even advertising often focusing on appearance, beauty, and caregiving roles.

Older women are frequently targeted with products and messages about anti-aging, wrinkle creams, and staying youthful, reinforcing the idea that aging is something to hide or fix. Meanwhile, older men are less often judged by appearance and more likely to be portrayed as wise or experienced. This double standard creates more pressure on women to “age gracefully” and maintain a youthful look.

The feminization of aging also shows up in caregiving. Many older women become caregivers for spouses or family, continuing unpaid care roles into old age. So, while women are living longer, they often do so with less support and more responsibility.

This feminized view of aging can be limiting, reinforcing gendered expectations instead of embracing diverse experiences of growing older. To truly value aging, society needs to recognize and support all older adults equally beyond stereotypes or gender roles.

​The proposal to convert Peterborough’s Bonnerworth Park into a pickleball hub has ignited significant debate. The plan involves replacing existing green spaces, including baseball diamonds and tennis courts, with 16 pickleball courts and an extensive parking lot. Residents have voiced concerns over environmental impacts, such as loss of green space and increased noise pollution. Additionally, there’s criticism regarding the lack of community consultation in the decision-making process   (Anselmi, 2024). ​

Media portrayals of the older adults advocating for these pickleball facilities often depict them as active and engaged, challenging traditional stereotypes of aging as a period of decline. This aligns with observations by Elizabeth Pike, who notes that sports can enable older individuals to both accept and resist the aging process. By participating in and promoting pickleball, seniors are resisting societal notions of passivity in old age and embracing active lifestyles.​

However, ageism subtly influences these representations. While highlighting active seniors is positive, it may inadvertently set unrealistic expectations for all older adults to maintain high activity levels, neglecting those who may not have the means or ability to do so. This perspective can marginalize less active seniors and overlook diverse aging experiences (Anselmi, 2024).​

The neoliberal emphasis on individual responsibility is evident in these narratives. The push for pickleball courts reflects a broader societal trend where aging individuals are encouraged to take personal initiative in maintaining health and activity, often without corresponding structural support. This focus on personal responsibility can overshadow the need for inclusive public policies that address the varied needs of the aging population (Global News, 2024). 

In summary, while promoting active aging through sports like pickleball offers benefits, it’s crucial to balance this with awareness of ageist undertones and the neoliberal emphasis on individualism. Ensuring that public initiatives are inclusive and consider the diverse realities of all seniors is essential for fostering equitable and supportive communities.

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